Holgorsen gives departing Iowa State coach Rhoads respect

Dana Holgorsen and Paul Rhoads are not the best of friends, but they've crossed paths several times thanks to familiarity. They're both coaches in the Big 12, and it's never good to see a colleague lose their job. Holgorsen paid his respects to Rhoads this week.

“I don't understand why it has to happen at this point,” Holgorsen said of Rhoads' firing. “This year, it seems like it could be pretty tough for a lot of coaches. But (the firing) can't affect what we're doing.

“The one thing that I have always admired Paul Rhoads for was getting his team ready to play and never quit. ... I will anticipate this game to be no different.”

West Virginia has already cemented a bowl berth, but a win against Iowa State could carry good momentum into the Mountaineers' final game of 2015.

(h/t Tribune Review)